Epilepsy Action is appealing for keen cyclists to join the Loire Valley Cycle Challenge on 24-26 September to raise vital funds for the charity.
The event challenges teams of four to cycle 500 miles in relay through stunning French countryside. The route takes teams from Rouen in Normandy to St Nectaire in the Massif Central in just three days.
Each team is asked to pay an entry fee of £1,100. This covers the cost of the channel crossing and four nights’ accommodation including breakfast, evening meals and wine. The entry fees cover all costs and all sponsorship money raised will go directly to Epilepsy Action. Each team is asked to raise at least £1,000 for the charity.
All entrants will need to be able to ride their share of the route and each team should be able to average a minimum of 15 miles per hour.
Michael White, Epilepsy Action’s fundraising events officer, said: “Cyclists will have their stamina, map reading and leadership skills tested to the full as they take on this challenge.
This event is a great team-building opportunity and an exhilarating adventure for all participants.
“We’re hoping to sign up 20 teams and would love to hear from anyone who’s keen to take part. Since it began, the event has raised a staggering £142,000. This year we hope to increase that figure to £200,000.”
The Chiltern Cruisers, a team who completed the event in 2008, commented: “We had a great time, enjoyed the route, experienced some stunning scenery and won a prize!”
The money raised from the Loire Valley Cycle Challenge will help fund the vital advice and information services provided by Epilepsy Action, the UK’s largest member-led epilepsy charity. Last year alone the organisation directly helped over 688,000 people through a range of services. These include its freephone Epilepsy Helpline, advice and information service, and branch network.
For more information and an entry form, please contact Michael White at Epilepsy Action on 0113 210 8800 or email mwhite@epilepsy.org.uk